Computer comunication B

1. Computer comunication B CSCW: introduction 1

2. CSCW • With the label CSCW we mean: • Computer-SupportedCooperative/CollaborativeWork • CSCW are so called groupware, i.e. software that support the mutual collaboration of groups. • The cooperation can exist in the distance, both in SPACE and TIME • Documents and programs can be shared • CSCW are very useful for projects, companies, research environment etc. • With CSCW next to the softwares, group processes are examined as well. • For example where are the problems in those processes that could be potential bias for the software support • How does the software influence the supported processes • All these processes are very important for teaching purposes, companies, or for research

3. CSCW: differences in interpretation • The difference in the interpretation of the second “C” (i.e. Cooperative vs. Collaborative) takes the tones of a dislocation of stress in the explanation • Cooperative: how is the work subdivided in small parts, so that they can be independent from one each other? • Collaborative: how a community perspective can be reached for solution of a problem (and the analysis of problems as well)

4. GROUPWARE: Definition • The definition of groupware is not well defined • For some people groupware is all what enables communication between people who work together, without any distinction • Others separate between: • Communicationsofware (like e-mails) • Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS) • EMS are computer software that help decision-making within an organization • EMS is a synonym of GSS, Group Support System

5. GROUPWARE and WFMS • Groupware are sometimes distinguished from WFMS (workflow-management-systems • WFMS support the governing of divided work processes • The subdivision between groupware and WFMS is not defined but there are two aspects which play a role for the difference • Level of coordination: low in groupware, high in WFMS • Level of possibility in interaction: low in WFMS, high in GW

6. GROUPWARE: EXAMPLES • The first commercial success of a groupware was LOTUS NOTES (DOMINO) by IBM • it is a client-server software • Contains: e-mail, electronic agenda, support the sharing of documents and discussions • It is the first used browser that used cryptography • Another example is GROOVE (Microsoft), a desktop software designed for collaborations • Some infos: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2006/10/IntoTheGroove/

7. LOTUS NOTES

8. CSCW: parts of groupware • Electronic agendas • Enables to look for spots of free time of members • Enables to fix time for meetings and inform the intended participants about it • Show overlapping appointments • Example: Rug-agenda Agenda RUG

9. CSCW: parts of groupware 1 • Project-management-systems • They help to plan the step of a project tracking down the steps till the end of the project • Enhance the optimisation of needs and resources (time, money, people, space, etc • Examples: Microsoft Project

10. Microsoft office project

11. CSCW: parts of groupware 2 • Information management systems • Collect, administer en cut different types of existing information in one company or agency • Activates the information • Examples: the yellow pages gives a list of collaborators with specific competences • Version administration system • Allows several authors to work together at the same enterprise • In case of contradictory or unwanted changes, the old versions of the project can just be resored

12. CSCW: parts of groupware 3 • Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS) • Software that supports the policy formation in organisations • Goals: the communication must be multimodal, like in a usual meeting (handouts, presentations. Etc) • The monitor is subdivided in sub-monitors for all participants, like a whiteboard, chat and calls • Example: acrobat adobe pro http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatconnectpro/demo/ • Supports for decision making (voting, enquiry) • Purpose: diminish the distance among members in a group: visualisation brings closer than only sound or written words • It is possible to fix progress and results only if the distance is not to large

13. CSCW: division of groupware according to the functionality • Communicative groupware: • E-mail • Instant messaging • Free call • Meeting groupware: • Electronic meeting systems • Application sharing and shared whiteboards • Management of cooperation/collaboration • Electronic agendas • Systems of knowledge management

14. CSCW: other divisions of groupware • Time-place matrices • Presence/absence (for example shared whiteboards in contrast to meeting rooms) • Asynchronous/synchronous (for example in version administration systems in contrast to whiteboards of electronic meetings systems) • Permissive/restrictive software • The users can do what they like for example with shared whiteboards • They limit the actions that can be taken with the system, like project management systems

15. CSCW: SURFgroupen 1 • SURFgroupen https://www.surfgroepen.nl is meant to be a complete cooperation environment • Keeps up with exchange of documents, pictures etc • Collaboration via chat e common agendas • Online meeting (with headsets and webcam) • Works only with Windows Internet Explorer and Mozzilla • Other examples: • Microsoft Sharepoint • Windows messenger • Acrobat Connect Professional

16. CSCW: SURFgroupen 2 • Support for all works: “MySite”. Saving of documents • Support for collaborations; “TeamSite”: • Savings of common works on documents; is integrated in Word • Communicate and discuss (Instant Messaging): chat and video • Electronic meetings: makes possible to create a meeting place for the members of groups • It is possible to use it for educational purposes, but used in small groups. • Thirds can get access to documents and get access to participate to the common work

17. CSCW: SURFgroupen 3

18. CSCW: SURFgroupen 4 • The documents on the web are always the most up to date • They are safely saved • All the documents pertaining to a project can be saved in one place (for example structured maps • Other possibilities for supporting the collaboration • Common agendas en list of duties, lists with deadlines • Forums for discussions • Construction and development of surveys

19. CSCW: the SURF organisation • SURF is a part of the SURF organisation (another part is SURFSPOT • It is collaborative union of Dutch universities and other research centres • Goal: to put at disposal of research and education innovative ICT-equipments • Administer a high-level network within the country among the local networks that are connected to SURFnet and other networks • More SURFnet Video Portal • Working with videos

20. For next time • Read the literature signaled in Nestor under: Literature online working One group choose two articles to discuss for the next time (tell me which ones so I prepare the discussion). Take as an example NESTOR